He told the Birmingham Mail: "It's a great credit to them that they can fight off the interest. I'm sure all these clubs are looking and wanting to sign the likes of Nick Powell and other lads at the age of 14 or 15.

"Everton and Manchester United are in that catchment region so it's great credit to them that they can keep these players, give them their first team chance and then sell them on to bigger and better things."